2020 -- S 2879

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LC005203

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2020

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S E N A T E   R E S O L U T I O N

COMMEMORATING "MEDAL OF HONOR DAY" IN RHODE ISLAND ON MARCH 25,

2020

     Introduced By: Senators Morgan, Paolino, Rogers, de la Cruz, and Algiere

     Date Introduced: June 17, 2020

     Referred To: Placed on the Senate Consent Calendar

     WHEREAS, The Medal of Honor is the highest and most prestigious military decoration

that is awarded to United States military service members through their acts of valor. It is

awarded for "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of

duty;" and

     WHEREAS, The Medal of Honor was first established by the United States Navy in

1861, followed by the United States Army in 1862. The United States Air Force, founded as an

independent service in 1947, established its Medal of Honor in 1965. Each branch has a slightly

different design to its Medal of Honor; and

     WHEREAS, "Medal of Honor Day" is a United States federal holiday that was

established to honor the heroism and sacrifice of Medal of Honor recipients. Medal of Honor Day

was created when President George H. W. Bush signed into law Public Law 101-564 on

November 15, 1990; and

     WHEREAS, Rhode Island has had the distinction of having thirty-five of its citizens

receive the Medal of Honor. These heroic men were Lieutenant William B. Avery, (Navy),

Sergeant William J. Babcock, (Army), Corporal James A. Barber, (Army), Captain George M.

Bliss, (Army), Colonel Zenas R. Bliss, (Army), Lieutenant John K. Bucklyn, (Army), Sergeant

James H. Burbank, (Army), Corporal Benjamin H. Child, (Army), Private John Corcoran,

(Army), Captain of the Top John Edwards, (Navy), Private Charles D. Ennis, (Army), Sergeant

John H. Havron, (Army), Coxswain Thomas Hayes, (Navy), Corporal Samuel E. Lewis, (Army),

George E. McDonald, (Army), Sergeant Archibald Molbone, (Army), Corporal Thomas Parker,

(Army), Private George W. Potter, (Army), Seaman George E. Read, (Navy), Private Joseph

Taylor, (Army), Lieutenant Edward P. Tobie, (Army), Private James Welsh, (Army), Sergeant

John S. Lawton, (Army), Private Owen McGar, (Army), Gunner’s Mate 3rd Class Petty Officer,

John Davis, (Navy), Boatswain’s Mate Matthew Gillick, (Navy), Seaman Philip Moore, (Navy),

Machinist’s Mate Chief Petty Officer Michael Walsh, (Navy), Gunner’s Mate Chief Petty

Officer, George Bradley, (Navy), Machinist’s Mate Chief Petty Officer, Francis Edward

Ormsbee, Jr., (Navy), Gunner’s Mate Chief Petty Officer Thomas Eadie, (Navy), Sergeant

William G. Fournier, (Army), Private George J. Peters, (Army), Lieutenant Robert T. Waugh,

(Army), and Corporal David B. Champagne, (Marine Corps); now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations

hereby commemorates "Medal of Honor Day" in Rhode Island on March 25, 2020; and be it

further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to the Honorable Governor of Rhode Island, Gina

M. Raimondo, and Mr. Kasim Yarn, Director, Rhode Island Office of Veterans Affairs.

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LC005203

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